Latest news with #T.J.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
T.J. Watt receives brotherly support from J.J. on Steelers contract drama amid OTA absence
T.J. Watt receives brotherly support from J.J. on Steelers contract drama amid OTA absence T.J. Watt has been making headlines over his absence from Steelers OTAs — an issue clearly tied to contract extension negotiations with Pittsburgh. His older brother, J.J. Watt, however, recently supported T.J. in a major way on Wednesday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show. When first asked about providing an update on his brother's extension talks with the Steelers, J.J. pleaded the Fifth: "I have a lot of information on that subject — that's not my subject to discuss." J.J. would, however, discuss the subject a little further when Trey Hendrickson's situation with the Bengals was compared to T.J.'s with Pittsburgh: "I've long been a big believer that ownership and front offices treat this like a business, but they do not like it when the players flip the script on them and treat it like business back. Taking care of your guys earlier does a few things for you. Number one, it gets them locked in at a lower price in the long run. I mean, you look at what prices are doing every single year — you get them locked in at a lower price. Number two, you're keeping them happy." J.J. tried warning the Steelers back in March that waiting on extending T.J. would only make the situation worse — and it truly feels like there isn't a "hometown discount" to be had anymore as Steelers OTAs roll on without their star edge rusher. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
T.J. Watt absent from Steelers OTAs amid contract drama as brother J.J. turns up pressure
Another star pass rusher wants a raise and is encountering resistance from his team. Steelers All-Pro defensive lineman T.J. Watt is absent from voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) and appears to be sending a message to the front office amid the dispute. Meanwhile, his brother, former defensive stalwart and now CBS broadcaster J.J. Watt, implored the Steelers to take care of his brother during an appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show.' 3 TJ Watt has clearly outperformed his contract in Pittsburgh. Getty Images 'I've long been a big believer that ownership and front offices obviously treat this as a business, but they do not like it when the players flip the script on them and treat it like a business back,' the ex-NFL star said when asked his brother going into the last year of his contract. 'If you take care of things early, especially when players want to take care of things earlier and say that they'll take less money to take care of things earlier because it sets themselves up long term financially, do that.' While J.J.'s comments don't mention his brother directly being upset with the team, T.J. posted a peace sign to his Instagram account in April, perhaps referencing his unhappiness with his deal. T.J. is entering the final year of a massive four year, $112 million contract, which he has largely outperformed to this point after the Steelers made one of their best picks in 2017 by selecting him at No. 30. 3 JJ Watt talks to Pat McAfee about his brother, TJ Watt's contract. X, @PatMcAfeeShow In the first year of his new deal in 2021, T.J. won Defensive player of the Year and tied Michael Strahan's sack record of 22.5, which had stood untouched since 2002. His contract is just the seventh-most lucrative deal in average salary per year ($28.02 million) among pass rushers, a market that has reset this offseason. Fellow pass rushers like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby have been rewarded this offseason with new record-setting deals. 3 TJ Watt is surely wondering where his big contract is in Pittsburgh. Getty Images The Steelers also gave their new receiver D.K. Metcalf an extension. Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney II said he wants keep the prized defensive superstar, but the clock is ticking before Watt enters free agency. The team could use the franchise tag, though, to delay the process. 'That's something we want to look at this offseason. T.J. has been one of the foundations of the defense for quite a number of years now,' Rooney said in January, as reported by The Athletic. 'And certainly hope we can have T.J. for the future, beyond this year.' T.J. is not the only AFC North star pass rusher in a contract dispute, as Bengals standout Trey Hendrickson is holding out and said he won't play under his current contract.
Associated Press
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Bears sign linebacker T.J. Edwards to 2-year contract extension through 2027 season
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears signed linebacker T.J. Edwards to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season on Thursday. The 28-year-old Edwards signed with Chicago in 2023 and has had 284 total tackles, 14 quarterback hits and 6 1/2 sacks in that span. He set career highs with four sacks and 12 tackles for loss last season while starting all 17 games for the third year in a row. 'Our entire organization is excited for T.J. and his family,' general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. 'T.J. has had a positive impact on our organization over the last two years, both on and off the field. We are grateful to have T.J. as a member of the Chicago Bears Family, and we look forward to his continued leadership on our team.' Edwards played his first four seasons in Philadelphia after going undrafted out of Wisconsin. He was part of the Eagles' 2022 team that lost to Kansas City in the Super Bowl. Edwards grew up about 50 miles north of Soldier Field in Lake Villa, Ill. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears sign linebacker T.J. Edwards to 2-year contract extension through 2027 season
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears signed linebacker T.J. Edwards to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season on Thursday. The 28-year-old Edwards signed with Chicago in 2023 and has had 284 total tackles, 14 quarterback hits and 6 1/2 sacks in that span. He set career highs with four sacks and 12 tackles for loss last season while starting all 17 games for the third year in a row. Advertisement 'Our entire organization is excited for T.J. and his family,' general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. 'T.J. has had a positive impact on our organization over the last two years, both on and off the field. We are grateful to have T.J. as a member of the Chicago Bears Family, and we look forward to his continued leadership on our team.' Edwards played his first four seasons in Philadelphia after going undrafted out of Wisconsin. He was part of the Eagles' 2022 team that lost to Kansas City in the Super Bowl. Edwards grew up about 50 miles north of Soldier Field in Lake Villa, Ill. ___ AP NFL:
Fox News
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Church worker reveals Alabama football team ‘inspired' his late son in new Fox Nation special
In Alabama, football is more than just a game; it's a source of inspiration for all those who follow the Crimson Tide. In the first episode of the new Fox Nation series, "The Tides That Bind," Crimson Tide football fan Tim Esco details the role that the team has had on his community — including his late son. Esco, a building facilitator for the Redland Baptist Church in Wetumpka, Alabama, said in the new special, "Everybody talks about Alabama football.""It brings a lot of joy," he added. Esco's son T.J. died last August from leukemia at age 14, per the official obituary page. In his son's bedroom, he told Fox Nation that he always wanted a son to play football with."I wanted to see his little trophies up there," he remarked, pointing to a glass case with memorabilia of Alabama sports teams. While T.J. was in the hospital battling his illness, multiple players from the Crimson Tide football team paid him a visit, including offensive lineman Tyler Booker, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and quarterback Jalen Milroe. Esco said the encouragement the players gave to his son was "indescribable." "He said that they told me 'I can do it,'" Esco said, referring to the conversation T.J. had with the players. "When they told me to do my best, he said, 'if they can do it, I said, I know I can.'" "And he never gave up — they instilled that in my son." As seen in the episode, Esco and his wife Marianne attended a Crimson Tide football practice just days before the team's important regular-season match-up against the Georgia Bulldogs. "You all have the ability to change people's lives," he told the kneeling players, conveying the strength of the bond between the Crimson Tide and their fans. "They go to the greatest football university in the country," Esco said of the players. "It shows what Alabama's class of men is — what they give us and inspire our kids and us to do." To watch the first episode of "The Tides That Bind" and stream subsequent episodes dropping weekly, sign up today for Fox Nation. Fox Nation programs are viewable on-demand and from your mobile device app, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite Fox Nation personalities.
